Yesterday my friends were under the weather and could not come, But after PT worked ne with my prosthetic leg, I went down to the café by myself. The open face turkey sandwich was good, but the raspberry cheesecake had flavor to die for. I watched football for most of the day, but Pam is really kicking my kitty-butt at fantasy football. Because this is such a slow news day, this is my only article.
Short Takes:
From Upworthy: …The shopping surge also means that many retail workers have to leave their loved ones and work on the day after (and sometimes the night of) Thanksgiving.
So if you only get one day-after-Thanksgiving every year, it’s silly to waste it at a crowded store with hundreds of other people who are willing to throw elbows to get a new Blu-ray player.
Instead, here are seven ways to spend Black Friday that are (at least in my mind) a whole lot better than shopping.
1. Take a trip to a state park.
I’m pretty sure that parks offer much better views than the inside of a Walmart. So load up your Thanksgiving leftovers into a picnic basket, find the closest park, and get some fresh air. If you live in Minnesota, you can even take advantage of free admission to all of the state’s parks this Nov. 27.
I do not shop on Black Friday. I shared one. Click through for the other six.
From NY Times: Clasping hands with youngsters in red Communist Youth League scarves, contestants from more than 110 nations descended on the southern Chinese island of Hainan this week for the 65th annual Miss World contest.
But one contestant was absent from the opening ceremony: Miss Canada, otherwise known as Anastasia Lin, a 25-year-old actress and classically trained pianist who has been denied a Chinese visa to attend the monthlong pageant, apparently because of her outspoken advocacy for human rights and religious freedom in China.
After waiting in vain for weeks, Ms. Lin packed up her Canadian-designed eveningwear on Wednesday and quietly boarded a Hong Kong-bound flight with the hope she might obtain an on-demand visa at the border and perhaps slip unnoticed into mainland China.
It was not to be.
The Chinese authorities, tipped off to her arrival, barred her from flying onward to Hainan.
Kudos to Anastasia. We all should boycott Miss World.
From The Hill: The Obama administration is warning states that they cannot refuse to accept refugees fleeing war-torn Syria, saying that noncompliant states may be subject to penalties.
The federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) said in a letter to state agencies on Wednesday that they cannot withhold services to refugees based on their country of origin or religion.
“Accordingly, states may not categorically deny ORR-funded benefits and services to Syrian refugees,” the letter said. “Any state with such a policy would not be in compliance with the State Plan requirements, applicable statutes, and their own assurances, and could be subject to enforcement action, including suspension and termination.”
The letter cited the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which bars discrimination on the basis of race or country or origin.
“Thus, it is not permissible to deny federally funded benefits such as Medicaid or TANF to refugees who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements.”
After their big holiday dinners, you can rest assured that hundreds of Republican politicians and pundits will have huge loads in their pants over this one!
Cartoon:
15 Responses to “On the Edge–11/27/2015”
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At least, you are getting up and around a bit. Good for you.
Upworthy: Fresh air in a state park or even a walk around the neighborhood is so much better than shopping in Walmart unless you enjoy elbow shoving or even getting trampled on during the melee of Black Friday.
NY Times: Censorship has no place in a beauty contest.
Change petition at:
https://www.change.org/p/chinese-leader-xi-jinping-let-anastasia-lin-into-china-to-represent-canada-at-miss-world-2015?recruiter=306539449&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink
The Hill: This will be an interesting story to unfold and watch in the next few weeks, months. The Republican politicians and pundits have their heads so far up in their rectums that they cannot possibly have a big load in their pants. lol.
Cartoon: I didn't. lol.
Been there. Signed that!
UpWorthy: The last time I went Black Friday on my family, I almost got in a fight with a lady who wanted the Cabbage Patch Doll that I had picked up first. After I got home with the doll, I made up my mind to never go out and shop with the madness that permeates this evening/day event. As I've gotten older, I find I don't like crowds, anymore, it's no longer fun. I feel sorry for those working those long hours too.
NY Times: What an eloquent heartfelt plea for human compassion and rights in China. Kudos to you, Miss Lin.
The Hill: Each of them should ask themselves, "Where's my compassion for those less fortunate than me?" "Where's my Welcome Mat for these refugees?" But again, these are Repugs.
Cartoon: Kitty had chicken al dente, sparkling water on the side, with fresh catnap as an after dinner 'mint'. Hospital food has improved, which is great for patients and loved ones. Glad that you enjoyed your dinner. Enjoy your evening, take care, and Thanks, Tom.
Sorry your celebration was a "half-show" yet glad you were the half that was up to showing up! Also nice that the quality of the food was as good as you describe!
Nice list for the day from Upworthy. I saw a protest challenge to not spend any money/shop anywhere from yesterday (Thanksgiving) until Tuesday (also skipping CyberMonday)…seeing whether I can manage that –so far so good.
Kudos to Anasthasia and petition signed (thanks Jim).
Glad the administration is holding states accountable on the refugee issue.
Hope the games you found had some excellent play.
Oh, what a disappointment. I think you were really looking forward to seeing your friends and having a thanksgiving meal with them, but I'm glad to hear you went down by yourself and enjoyed a nice meal anyway. Good on ya, TomCat.
Upworthy: I can't think of a worse way to spend a day of than being trampled by thousands of frenzied shoppers who are tearing each other's hair out and limbs off to get to that one item that was left on the shelves because it was unsalable, so any of these seven alternatives sound good.
NY Times: China is clearly afraid of an outsider of Chinese ancestry (?) and who speaks a Chinese language (Mandarin?). It is obvious that Anastasia Lin will speak out, and will be heard, given half a chance. So they won't give her one. One more reason to boycott Miss World.
The Hill: And is Obama now going to send inspectors to 37 odd states to overlook the processing of Syrian refugees? And going after the states when they do not pay their fine? Some of these states have run up quite a sum in fines, I believe. I'd hate to be a Syrian refugee caught up between "tough" federal bureaucrats and a hateful, aggressive mob in a state that really doesn't want me. Syrian refugees may feel strangely at home there, though.
Cartoon: And it was delicious!
Mitch created an important petition in the wake of today's Colorado Springs shooting (911 call from Planned Parenthood clinic on it) at:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/181/691/652/call-on-congress-to-out-the-christian-jihadists/
Thank you Judi. If any, or all of you could get out the word about this petitiion, I would gladly appreciate it. It is way beyond time for the Theocratic, and other pseudo-Christians to speak up about the violent use their brethren make of the New Testament! The petition is about the Christian Jihadists, using the same terrorism ISIS does, to silence others, to force their interpretation of Scripture on others, while Congress remains silent, except to offer their "Thoughts and prayers," which amounts to a hill of beans, except that it gives them a sense of piety!
Petition by Mitch signed.
Signed!!
TC, just you keep on trucking!
Upworthy speaks the truth. I did, however, buy a $5.00 Secret Santa type gift, today, for our party at work.
Anastasia says it so well!
The Hill: I wonder what my governor's blathery respponse will be to have the legal point presented by the person who holds the office Mr. Christy covets!
Gee, I'm sorry you got stood up! At least the food was good.
Upworthy – I was on the road and then in visiting room with hubby. Nothing special, we just like to see each other.
NY TImes – It does figure. Yes, she's amazing. Miss World isn't the one the Donald owns, it it? He owns Miss Universe. Not that it matters. Someone needs to explain to me how to boycott something I never had any connection with in the first place and never intended to.
The Hill – Of course they can't. They know it. They're just grandstanding for their voter base. One must wonder, however, how much of a service it is to refugees to place them in a known hostile environment. I'm sure it will be necessary, but the decent people there could probably benefit from assistance on knowing how to help.
Cartoon – Believe it!
Fantasy Football — Patty kicked my butt last week and Vivian is doing it this week so far! Sigh . . .
It is too bad your friends were under the weather and had to miss out. But you did the right thing and it paid off . . . raspberry cheesecake. Don't suppose you could send me a piece eh?
NY Times — I was reading about this earlier before you posted. An articulate young woman who speaks truth. Her father still resides in Mainland China and has been threatened because she speaks out. Petition signed. https://www.change.org/p/chinese-leader-xi-jinping-let-anastasia-lin-into-china-to-represent-canada-at-miss-world-2015
Upworthy — Canada has started with Black Friday sales etc. We always had Boxing Day sales on 26/12; then stores started having Boxing Day sales prior to Christmas. Now it is Black Friday. I don't do Boxing Day and I certainly won't do Black Friday. Life's too short for that!
The Hill — Dear Obstructionist Governors; Get over it! Get out of the way and let those that want to and can help, do so!
Cartoon — Pussy Cat must be a Canuck drinking Moosehead beer. The company was founded in 1867 in New Brunswick. Hope the turkey was not that old.
I am so sorry your friends could not come, but happy you were able to go and get a good meal, makes me want the raspberry cheesecake.
Upworthy: I promised myself when this nonsense started, that I would never shop on Black Friday. It looks like insanity to me. I spent most of the day with my mother and, even though she could not remember that she had Thanksgiving dinner with us at my sisters yesterday, she was in a good mood. I think it was because we got her out of her house for a while, she seldom will leave it.
NY Times: I don't watch any of the beauty pageants so will be easy to boycott this one. That said, I think it will make a powerful statement to China if the majority of people do boycott. They don't want her there because she questions their methods and disagrees with their governance. Could they be Republicans?
The Hill: I hope they do, too. These people need help and to deny it is Unamerican.
Cartoon: That cat looks pretty satisfied.
Sorry to hear about your friends – but glad to learn you turned it into lemonade!
(I would've said raspberries – but that's entirely the WRONG connotation)
Thanks all. Hugs!!